In late September, The Canadian Apparel Federation hosted some of the top Canadian brands at the Metro Hall in Toronto. The occasion was a day of giving back as they chaired panel discussions and met prospective talent who aspire to careers in the Apparel and Fashion world. The creative energy in Metro Hall that afternoon was visceral as industry veterans exchanged their stories and best practices with the next generation. Canada’s apparel landscape is changing more rapidly than ever. Employers in today’s industry are blending tradition with innovation by seeking new hires armed with skills in business and communication, social media, digital marketing, industrial design and more.

Phil Newman, President of Cobmex, a well-known provider of Knitwear to the Corporate Wear and Public Safety industries, was a panelist that afternoon. Joining Phil were the founders of two esteemed brands in Canada; Pink Tartan and Comrags. Kimberly Newport-Mimran is the founder of Pink Tartan, a global brand featuring understated luxury and sophisticated sportwear. Born in 1983, Comrags was founded by panelist Judy Cornish along with her partner Joyce Gunhouse and has grown to be one of Canada’s most well-known labels. Their panel topic was, “The ever-evolving nature of a thriving business”.

“It’s such a pleasure to recount my experiences, my struggles and my key learnings in the hopes that someone can find success faster than me!”, said Newman. “I was hanging on every word from Kimberly and Judy – they have truly built timeless brands.”.